"After a day or two, we all wanted Annie's receipes. The food was not fancy, but perfect."

• A Typical Dinner
  
  A Bistro style starter of delicious ripe Pear, Creamy Rochefort Cheese and
  Caramelised Walnut Salad
  
  Saumon aux Poireaux en Papillote (individually steamed salmon and leek parcels) served with a three rice selection and seasonal green vegetables
  
  A Regional Cheese selection
  
  Peches a la Cardinale (fresh peaches in a vibrant Raspberry sauce) served with French Vanilla ice cream.
  
  Freshly Brewed Coffee and a bit of
  Dark Bitter Chocolate to finish

Highlights of a
Week on BONHEUR
Canal du Centre, Burgundy

• The historic town of Autun with Roman and medieval artifacts
• Chateau Couches, a magnificent 12th century fortress with wine tasting at its private vineyards
• The wine village of Santenay and its Chateau de Philippe le Hardi
• Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy, and the beautifully preserved hospice, Hotel Dieu.
• The riverside town of Chalon-sur-Saone, the birthplace of photography and a vibrant market town.
• Plenty of opportunity for walking and biking along the canals and through villages

Paul and Annie Roberts, owners and operators of BONHEUR

A typical week aboard BONHEUR
Canal du Centre, Southern Burgundy

Sunday
Guests are met at Le Creusot TGV railway station in the afternoon and taken by car to Bonheur, which is moored on the tranquil Canal du Centre. Welcome drinks and dinner in the evening gives us the opportunity to chat about the coming week's itinerary, while you gently unwind from your journey. 

Monday
The day begins with a visit by car to the historic town of Autun. This town founded in about 15AD has remarkable remains of its Roman beginnings including Amphitheatre and original sections of defensive walls and entrance gates, together with later medieval buildings and the 12th century cathedral of Saint Lazare. After lunch aboard Bonheur, we commence our cruise where a chain of seven locks announces the beginning of the canal's decent from the summit level (300m) to the river Saone. We work our way through the locks and continue through the village of Ecuisses before arriving at St-Julien-sur-Dheune where we moor and have dinner aboard this evening. 

Tuesday
We depart St-Juliene-sur Dheune for a leisurely cruise to the village of St Leger-sur-Dheune, which will be our mooring for the evening. After lunch aboard, a visit to Chateau Couches is a short drive away. A magnificent 12th century fortress it has an impressive Keep and Drawbridge, reminders of a rich and feudal military past. After a guided tour, we will also have a tasting of wines grown in the Chateau’s private vineyards. After returning to the boat for an aperitif (perhaps a refreshing Kir Royale, a regional speciality made with Crème de Cassis, a garnet-red blackcurrant liqueur from Dijon and Burgundian Champagne ‘Cremant’), dinner will be taken ashore at a nearby restaurant.

Wednesday
We depart St Leger-sur-Dheune for a cruise to the village of Santenay, which nestles amongst the famous vineyards and preserved landscape of the Southern Cote de Beaune. After lunch we can stroll into the village. Santenay is bursting with local growers inviting you to sample the diversity and richness of their wines. A good place to start is the Chateau de Philippe le Hardi. Turned into a fortress in the 14th century AD and surrounded by moats, it now shelters a wine estate where we’ll enjoy a wine tasting. This is another evening when guests have the opportunity to sample local cuisine. 

Thursday
We start the day after a relaxing breakfast with a short cruise to the town of Chagny where we will moor for the evening. After an early lunch, we depart for the historic town of Beaune driving along the picturesque route Des Grande Cru. The walled town of Beaune is the wine capital of Burgundy. The afternoon will include a visit to the historic hospice, Hotel Dieu, built in the 15th Century, after which we will visit the largest wine cave (cellars) in Beaune for a tour and tasting. The original cellars began as a convent. “The Ladies of the Visitation Convent” was founded in 1632 and as you begin the tour you pass through a little listed 17th century chapel, which the nuns used every day. We will have the time to wander and appreciate this magnificent medieval walled town and browse in the shops if you wish. We return to Bonheur through the vineyards for a restful evening and dinner on board. 

Friday
After a slow start to the day, our morning cruise takes us to the village of Franges.
We then take guests on a short car journey to Chalon-sur Saone (the birthplace of photography). Chalon has a cathedral (with a lovely square), a museum and lots of shops. It also has a little Island, ‘Ile Saint-Laurent’ which has a Bohemian feel, reached by a bridge across the Saone, it’s a great place to sit and watch the world go by. When you have seen enough and feel its time, we’ll return to Bonheur for a relaxing evening and farewell dinner on board.

Saturday
After a leisurely breakfast guests are taken to Le Creusot TGV Railway Station in good time to catch their train.

Note this is a sample itinerary and is subject to change based on guests' interests. On alternate weeks, cruises will be in reverse direction.